[Video] Tuesday of Week 31, late morning

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[This face right here is a very eager face. Luke is grinning ear to ear and his voice reaches decibels that make the sound system of his communicator clip slightly as he excitedly greets anyone listening in.]

Hey, we're in comm range again! Yup, that means we'll be home soon though I'm afraid I can't give exact details yet. Boy did I miss you guys.

Is anybody around?

[Some might notice that Luke is more chipper than usual. Sure, he'll be happy to talk to just about anyone who replies, especially friends, but those who know better will be well aware of the real source of his excitement. He's almost giddy at the idea of getting to see Kaylee again soon.]

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[Video]

[damn_it_jim]

[For some reason, Bones is being forcibly reminded of the few times that both Jim and Chekov have been enthusiastic about something at the same time. He turns a wearily resigned expression on the video feed.]

Good god, I'm surprised you haven't bounced a hole right through the wall of whatever's carrying you home.

Glad the trip seems to be returning you all in one piece, though.

[A beat.]

Always good to have one less drain on the medical supplies.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Oh. Not Kaylee. Luke's excitement dies down just a little to a more reasonable level. Bones' pessimism helps with that, too. He raises his eyebrows at the doctor's less-than-cheery assessment.]

Well, that's one way to put it.

There were a few injuries during the first leg of the trip when that... thing attacked us, but we're all fine now.

[Luke doesn't know Dr. McCoy all that well and isn't aware of what a vague statement like that might do.]

So, how's everyone in the city?

[damn_it_jim]

Well, at least you had Solus with you. What happened, so I can track the culprits down and make sure they haven't been hiding anything chronic out of some misguided sense of toughness?

[Bones stares meaningfully at Luke, as if suspecting he's got a compound fracture hiding behind his back.]

The city's much as it was. Fewer raptors around, thanks to some dedicated hunters, and apparently there's a young personification of Norse mythology running around that everyone expects will get into trouble judging by the threats and counter-threats floating around the network.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Uh oh, Luke knows that look all too well.]

Like I said, everyone's fine now. Those with lasting injuries were cared for once we got into the city.

[He isn't about to admit that he was one of the ones injured. At least not to Dr. McCoy.

Luke furrows his brows slightly at the mention of Norse mythology. Yeah, he's not exactly an expert on Earth cultures. And he hasn't gotten to know Thor well enough yet to guess that he might know this "personification".]

Sounds like fun.

[That may sound like sarcasm to some but Luke is actually half-serious. "Trouble" is his middle name and anyone who else can perpetuate that is fun in his book.]

[damn_it_jim]

You need better hobbies, kid.

[Not quite an accurate nickname given that Bones is only in his late 30s, no matter how old and world-weary his soul. He smirks a little, all the same.]

Get back here and we can toss you into the thick of it. Details can wait 'til you're not on the network, I'd guess.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke's used to getting called 'kid' so he doesn't even think twice about it. He just grins.]

Can't wait!

[Reminded of Jim yet?]

We'll be making contact again soon with more details of our arrival.

[damn_it_jim]

[Forcibly. Some of Bones' pained expression probably isn't entirely for show. He shakes his head slightly.]

You have a strange sense of self preservation... but fine, fine, I'll be standing by to sew you and everyone else back together as needed. As usual.

I'll keep an ear out for more details. You need anything waiting for you on your return?

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Despite the painfully different personalities, Luke likes Bones, though mostly in a likes-to-troll sort of way. Luke finds his sarcastic, jaded pessimism funny.]

You probably won't be hearing from us again until we touch land so a rendezvous won't really be a possibility. My guess is that if anyone wants to escort us back to the Old City, they'll have to meet us halfway. Basic supplies like food and such for the journey home is probably all we'll need.

[damn_it_jim]

[This seems to be Bones' lot in life. Although given the sheer number of people who enjoy keeping him around, it's questionable just how much he believes his own press.]

In that case, I'll hope not to hear from you until you're all back here, since the alternative means one of you is bleeding out in a way that Solus can't fix on his on.

Safe travels, kid.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

[Kaylee's face might just burn out the brightness settings on the comm unit. And of course she looks right about ready to bounce off the walls of... well, wherever she is. Not like Luke's going to be paying attention to the identity of the walls]

Luke! Is it ever lingren jinyi to see you!

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[By now Luke's learned to ignore the Chinese that he doesn't understand (and there's a lot of it) but he can usually guess the meaning with context.]

Kaylee! You have no idea; I couldn't stop thinking about you the whole trip.

[He's got emotional scars from the Salarian sex advice to prove it.]

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Me neither. Even with everyone else around the Flop, it was just gettin' lonely. Ain't the same.

[She's not letting him know about his little project until she can show it to him]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke's expression softens. He seems to truly empathize with the word 'lonely'.]

Yeah, I might have-- hang on.

[There are a few clicks and beeps heard, and the video blacks out and connects again, this time on a private channel.]
((FILTERED TO KAYLEE))

There. I might have made a few crew members uncomfortable with my, uh, loneliness.

[He gives a wry smile, completely unashamed in telling her just how much he missed her.]

[wrench_and_ruffles]

[Kaylee has to giggle at that]

Didja now? Well... at least it ain't for much longer. I got plans.

[Not that there was ever any doubt, but her face makes it clear just what those plans involve]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Oh, you do? And what plans are those?

[Luke is a big fan of those kinds of plans and his big grin makes that evident.]

[wrench_and_ruffles]

The kind that involve packin' a lunch 'cause I'm gonna keep ya busy. Ya wouldn't believe how many nooks this place has got...

[Though she doesn't actually intend to leave the apartment...]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[That grin gets bigger if possible. Look how happy you make him, Kaylee.]

We can make all the noise we want...

[The idea of making Kaylee make noises gets a naughty little smirk out of Luke. Can you tell he's been thinking about coming home to their new, private apartment this whole trip?]

It just so happens that I have plans too. I can't tell you what they are, though.

[Yeah, that was definitely naughty and Luke knows it.]

[wrench_and_ruffles]

[She pouts, but it's clear in her eyes that she's only playing]

You're just gonna leave me hangin' like this?

[Because she's not leaving details on the whole apartment thing vague or anything]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

You bet I am. This is definitely worth waiting for and no matter how cute you are, you're not getting anything else out of me.

[He didn't mean for that to sound like a challenge but he realizes seconds later that that's what it sounded like.]

Besides, you like surprises.

[Quick, offer incentive. Distract her!]

[did_i_say_percy]

[Armand is kind of glad to see someone who isn't making threats or being new or dire. And that smile is kind of hard to ignore, even if he doesn't know who Luke is.]

I don't think I've met you. I'm so glad that you [And he kind of pauses there thinking over what he'd said. English used the same word for singular and plural, and it doesn't sound right to him at all. But then he finally reconciles that that was what he was taught and continues.] will be home soon.

I was rather new when the ship set out. My name is Armand.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke doesn't claim to know everyone in the Old City but he definitely recognizes a new face when he sees one. He takes on a more welcoming smile rather than the half-crazed grin he had on before to keep from creeping the new guy out.]

Hi, Armand. I'm Luke. You settling in alright? I mean, despite the fact that you're here against your will, of course.

[He remembers all too well that period of panic and then miserable resignation and can't help feeling awful that so many people are experiencing it.]

[did_i_say_percy]

I'm doing fairly well. It's still all very confusing for me. Everyone I've met so far has been kind.

[Armand is quiet a moment, and he glances aside, perhaps toward the vague direction of the space ship from where he is.]

I don't mind being here so terribly much, but no one seems to agree why were brought here. I suppose it adds up simply to not knowing at all, except by guessing. That is something I don't like at all.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke slowly nods, gaze falling low to somewhere near the ground.]

I know what you mean. If it helps any, just know that it gets a little better. Not that it ever really feels like home but it has its moments.

This is actually the second time I've been taken away from home and trapped. The first place was much worse.